Death of Poisoned Russian Spy Sparks Radiation Alert

JIM LEHRER:

Finally tonight, the mystery behind that fatal poisoning in London and new concerns over possible radiation exposure. Jeffrey Brown has our story.

JEFFREY BROWN:

The story has played out like a Cold War novel and only grown more bizarre by the day.

On November 1st, Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB agent and fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fell ill in London, after meeting two Russians, including another former spy, at this hotel, and an Italian academic at this local sushi bar.

British authorities, suspecting Litvinenko was poisoned, kept him under armed guard in a London hospital and quickly opened an investigation. Doctors struggled to determine the cause of his mysterious illness, as Litvinenko suffered weight and hair loss, and ultimately his major organs failed. He died a week ago at age 43.

In a statement from his deathbed, Litvinenko claimed Putin had poisoned him. A friend read the message upon his death.

ALEX GOLDFARB, Friend of Alexander Litvinenko: You may succeed in silencing one man, but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life. May God forgive you for what you have done, not only to me, but to beloved Russia and its people.

JEFFREY BROWN:

In response, President Putin denied any involvement.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, President of Russia (through translator): It is extremely regrettable that such a tragic event as death is being used for political provocation.

JEFFREY BROWN:

On November 24th, doctors from Britain's Health Protection Agency said the rare radioactive element polonium-210, often produced in nuclear facilities, had been found in Litvinenko's body. Polonium is so potent that even a dust-sized speck can be deadly.

In the days since, authorities have expanded their investigation of places linked to the former KGB agent. Today, British Home Secretary John Reid gave an update before parliament.

JOHN REID, Home Secretary, United Kingdom:

To date, around 24 venues have or are being monitored, and experts have confirmed traces of contamination at around 12 of these venues.

JEFFREY BROWN:

In the latest twist, those venues now include British Airways jets that traveled between London and Moscow and have been found to have small amounts of a yet-unnamed radioactive substance. Airline officials are notifying more than 30,000 passengers, but the risks to them are said to be low.

And late today, the FBI announced it will assist British authorities with their scientific analysis in the Litvinenko case.

And in yet one more twist, just one day after the death of Alexander Litvinenko last week, former Russian Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar also fell ill. Today, doctors treating Gaidar said they believe he, too, may have been poisoned.